Worlds and minds explode in a brand-new series!
When acclaimed comics author JAMES ROBINSON (Starman, Fantastic Four) is hired to write a reboot of the 1940s action hero Airboy, he's reluctant to do yet another Golden Age reboot. Just what the hell has happened to his career–?! His marriage?! His life?! Hey, it's nothing that a drink can't fix.
It's after one such night of debauchery with artist GREG HINKLE that the project really comes into its own. Quite literally. Because Airboy himself appears to set the two depraved comic book creators on the straight and narrow.
But is the task too much for our h more
Airboy will no doubt venture into interesting, introspective directions from here that will still incorporate all of the elements found here, but there is something charming about how this first issue chooses to set up that adventure. This deeply personal, self-deprecating and hilarious 24 page misadventure may very well exist on its own from here on out, but it feels impossibly necessary to understanding what fever dreams may come. Airboy #1 takes itself as seriously as the creators do themselves, how could it possibly do anything less? What it is about and what it will be about are intrinsically tied even if its not entirely clear how self-serving that may be. Even if it is, its not a bad thing. These types of story often runs that aforementioned risk of pretension, but Robinson and Hinkle deftly steer clear of those trappings and instead provide a humorous, heartfelt journey worth peeking behind the curtain to experience. Read Full Review
If you've read any comic from James Robinson in the past, that likely won't even prepare you for this book. Robinson lets it all out (literally) and tells the semi-autobiographical story of a low point in his life. Packed with raw emotions and a heaping serving of profanity, nudity, and drug usage, this is a comic pretty much unlike any you've seen. There will be moments that will shock you as well as ones that will make you laugh. Greg Hinkle's art is brilliant. A fantastic look at James' world is being set up in this issue. You will see things you never thought you'd see. There are some bold and gutsy things being done here. You'll be entertained in way most comics can't. This is a different sort of comic and that's a great thing to have on the store shelves. Read Full Review
This comic read like Charlie Kaufmans Adaptation script, but the NSFW version set in the comics world thats way, way more fun. Hinkle uses a great two or three tone colour pallet throughout the issue, only varying the pallet from page to page and the artwork rocked my socks. The work is distinct, and having now been introduced to Hinkles style itll sit with me and Im sure Ill be able to spot his work anywhere its just that good. Read Full Review
I'll just end by saying that Airboy #1 is one of the most unique comic books I've ever read. It is raw, profane, over-the-top and simply fantastic. It will never be confused with all those all-ages comics that are being pushed nowadays and to that I raise a glass and would give a toast if i wasn't so awkward. This is a must read! Read Full Review
This book is intensely honest and beautifully disgusting, but you still won’t be able to stop reading, no matter how much your eyes squint and body cringes. Instead of taking a Golden Age character and bringing his old self back to life in a boring reboot of adventures we’ve already seen, Robinson and Hinkle create a new work of art worth all the praise that it gets, and much more. Read Full Review
This is NOT a book for kids or easily offended adults. This book is about as far away from kid-friendly as you can get. It's full of language, drug use, nudity; none of it gratuitous. It serves the story Robinson is telling, and defines a mature book. Adult situations that a mature reader can see the ironic humor in and chuckle at occur regularly. This is definitely not a standard Airboy story and my hope is that the rest of the series lives up to this issue. I loved this as a standalone issue. I have absolutely no idea where Robinson is going to go with this after the final page, but I'll be there for the ride. Regardless of whether you read any other issues in this series, I'd urge you to at least flip though this first issue and see if it looks like the sort of thing you'd enjoy. It's definitely not for everyone, but for the people it hits the right way, it's a brilliant example of comics at their best. Read Full Review
Past the dicks hanging out, and seriously – Hinkle is packing an anaconda apparently, there's something here. I have a buzzing going on in the back of my brain after reading this. There are thoughts and ideas sparking off of each other. This is about a certain lifestyle that some people live, are forced into. This is like Charles Bukowski or Chuck Palahniuk. Drugs and fucking and pain. That might be the kind of thing you want to freebase. If it is, light up. Read Full Review
A brilliant start with some of the most challenging creative self-reflection Ive come across in a printed piece, Airboy #1 is a true joy to read, re-read, and re-re-read. Im on pass #6 and am probably not going to stop any time soon. If were in luck, neither will Robinson and Hinkle. Next month, get in my pants already. Im already jonesing for you. Read Full Review
The series takes a satirical look at the creative process and gives you the feeling the James couldn't afford a therapist as the brutally stark dialogue and observations of writers block make you wonder if you are in fact reading a comic or witnessing a mental breakdown. Read Full Review
Oh man, this is good. I know we critics always say this but this time I mean it. This time it comes from a sober heart on a Sunday morning coming down. I'm writing this with the moral clarity, the guileless innocence, of a man who woke this afternoon to face the day as a newborn babe, a man whose transgressions of the night before have been washed away by forgetfulness. I really mean it. I've never seen anything like this before. This is perfect. Read Full Review
If it isnt already obvious, I absolutely loved this book. Its a very unique take on this sort of story, both touching, funny and completely vulgar. There are a few pre-requisites before picking this up though; first, and most obviously, the level of vulgarity will be a hard sell for some people, so more sensitive people need not apply. Secondly, theres a definitely requirement of prior knowledge of the comics industry to make this work. A lot of what I found to be the funniest jokes were based on my knowledge of the creators they were referencing, and a lot of the emotional weight comes from being familiar with Robinsons career. If you are a fan of either of this things though, then I cannot recommend this book enough. Its an absolutely insane ride that has a lot of heart to it. The complete 180 turn in the final page also ensures Ill be back for more next month. I want to see how far this rabbit hole goes. Read Full Review
Now I know this idea or concept if you will is not entirely original, but I love the direction that Robinson and Hinkle are taking with this. The writing is in your face hilarious and brutally honest, exhibiting a story that at times is asdark and depressingas it isfunny. Hinkle's illustrations are outstanding, with an incredibly unusual but detailed disposition of the characters, and his choice of colors (especially the shades of blue and purple) stood out to me. A very strong first issue in a series that might be best described as art imitating life imitating art. Read Full Review
Collaborator and costar is artist Greg Hinkle. As James in the story states, Hinkle is an offbeat find to give this book the proper offbeat look it needs. His pencils and inks convey a simple modernity and plainness which contrasts greatly with the issue's nastier scenes. One page transition in particular makes the reader have to lean back when Hinkle throws an amazing, jarring cut-to-scene. There is inventive use of panels and environmental framing. One instance in particular is the montage of James and Greg hopping between bars and increasing their drug intact as a man, not entirely meant to be understood montage that's literally askew. Hinkle utilizes colors to great effect, sticking to a limited pallet much like Dark Horse's Ei8ht which helps transitions scenes, tones, and locations eloquently. Read Full Review
In trying to figure out just what the hell to do with yet another Golden Age revamp, Robinson and Hinkle give us an unexpectedly raw and hilarious look at two modern day creators. Read Full Review
The book is a gorgeous, darkly fun look at the roles of heroes in our lives and what we do to hurt ourselves when we're scared. Fans of Robinson's straightforward superhero work may not find what they're looking for, but readers who appreciate his characters and innate ability to create scenes with weight and meaning will be rewarded with a decadently enjoyable confessional narrative and stunning cartooning. "Airboy" #1 is a unique book that fans should check out when it hits stands on June 3. Read Full Review
It's hard to say just yet if Airboy is truly great (just how meta is it?), but it's so willfully different that it merits a look. Read Full Review
I like what Airboy #1 is trying to do, I'm just not sure it's successful. It's an effective way to involve the reader, but involving the reader in tedium is a dangerous concept. Still, I like the art a lot, and I respect the story telling, so I'll probably be back for more. And there is that great hook at the end, if that pays off in the future and evens out the boredom with some excitement, this series could be a real pleasure to experience. Read Full Review
So here we are at the end, and while I first thought Airboy #1 was self-serving garbage, after sounding it out, I've gotta say that I kinda dug it. This is Robinson and Hinkle having fun, and even at its most self-analytic, it shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's sexy and grimy and shameful and hilarious, and while it wasn't close to being what I expected, I now feel it's exactly what I wanted: something weird. Read Full Review
Airboy is not perfect. I have personally never been a fan of stories which are overly meta. Perhaps it's because I refuse to pay six dollars for coffee or stretch out my ear lobes, I'm not sure. It's definitly not for everyone. Yet, I find myself interested. It has a rock-solid cliffhanger ending. The characters are strong ones whom you will either root for or against, but not find yourself in between. The art style itself is cartoonish but very detailed. Read Full Review
This is not a comic for kids or for the easily offended. It's a completely different approach to the storytelling process - you'll either love it or hate it. Read Full Review
By the time Airboy actually shows up, I wasn't sure whether the issue was too long or too short (I'm sticking with too short at 17 pages). Fortunately, the fantastic dialogue by Robinson and Hinkle's wonderfully expressive art gives us plenty of reason to believe this will quickly become a very fun series to read. Read Full Review
It's not my cup of tea, but if you like those odd books for the sake of being odd like Tony Millionaire's Sock Monkey and the like, perhaps it'll be up yours. Read Full Review
I think one of the things I found even more incredulous about the issue was the quotes at the end. They were all from the new comic elite. Jeff Lemire, Brian K Vaughan, etc who all must be close personal friends. Unsurprisingly, none of them female. Ultimately, I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me. I know a lot of people are going to love this book and I know that a lot of them (if not all of them) are going to be men. Who was the book written for? I think it was written for James Robinson. Read Full Review
Brilliant.
Not sure how the subsequent issues will shake out, but this was the most fun I've had reading a comic in a while. Did these guys just create a new sub-genre? Gonzo-metafiction? Dope book. Read it!
Funny and honest.
I couldn't stop reading it, it was hilarious, great original story idea and fantastic drawings! I can't wait for another hilarious issue. Totally recommend it, don't listen to the sexist reviews.
Honest and self-degrading, but in a fun and intriguing fashion, I can't wait to read more.
Nice surprise! The art is fantastic and the story so far is definitely NSFW but overall...I like it!
Not sure how to react
Dark Knight Returns-10,
Elektra Assassin-10,
WatchMen-10
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